
The company rebranded a Chicago "L" train and Clark/Lake station with Year of Luigi and New Super Luigi U promotion and released a parkour-themed mockumentary about Luigi, both in August. Nintendo released a wide array of Luigi-themed merchandise via Club Nintendo exclusives across the celebration, such as limited collectible pins, coins, a soundtrack selection, and an exclusive Nintendo 3DS XL in July. These games were received generally positively, and critics praised the focus on Luigi. remix titled Luigi Bros., are in Super Mario 3D World. References to Luigi and to the Mario Bros. Luigi, all starring Luigi as the protagonist, and with little or no appearance of Mario.

Games released in The Year of Luigi include Dark Moon, Dream Team, New Super Luigi U, and Dr. It was announced via Nintendo Direct on February 14, 2013, by Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata and ended on March 18, 2014. According to Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto, Nintendo staff members also had the urge to develop games focused on Luigi, and considered the character underrepresented compared to Mario. Due to Nintendo's decision to develop Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon and Mario & Luigi: Dream Team at the same time, they declared 2013 the Year of Luigi. and has appeared frequently as a minor or supporting character in the Mario franchise since. He was created by Japanese video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto for the 1983 arcade game Mario Bros. The Year of Luigi was the 30th-anniversary celebration of the fictional character Luigi.

Anniversary logo with Luigi from Super Mario Bros.
